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The Department of Energy works in all areas of energy policy that effect Fiji. Specific work programs include: |
The Department’s actions in these areas are given direction by The Strategic Development Plan for 2003-2005 of the Fiji Government and the Department’s own Strategic Development Plan for 2003-2005. High level direction is also provided by relating these documents to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals and other regional and international programs.
The Strategic Development Plan for 2003-2005 of the Fiji Government clearly states the overall goal in the sector is “to facilitate the development of a resource efficient, cost effective and environmentally sustainable energy sector.”
Specific objectives include:
1. Formulation of “a comprehensive national energy policy to address renewable energy, efficiency and affordability, and environmental sustainability”, and
2. Reform of the power sector “through internal restructuring of FEA [the Fiji Electricity Authority] and the encouragement of private sector participation through Independent Power Producers (IPP’s) and Renewable Energy Service Companies (RESCOS) in electricity generation/servicing”.
The Department also works with FEA to improve the electricity supply situation in remote areas that are not connected to the grid distribution system. This work is done through the Department’s Rural Electrification Unit (REU).
The Department has several programs and policies to achieve the above objectives and is currently working with a wide range of stakeholders to achieve sustainable outcomes. Stakeholders include regional organisations, such as SOPAC, the FEA, other Government Departments and the private sector.
National Energy Policy Development
A significant focus of the Department is to develop a National Energy Policy (NEP) “ to address renewable energy, efficiency and affordability, and environmental sustainability”.
The policy framework provides specific statements on key energy strategic areas which will be the focus of energy sector development. Implementation plans will be developed to support each of the identified strategic areas and policy statements within the NEP. These will include detailed actions to achieve the objectives in each area, including possible investment plans and funding requirements.
The policy development work is carried out with assistance from the Pacific Islands Energy Planning and Strategic Action Planning (PIEPSAP) Unit of SOPAC. The Work Plan Proposal for this project can be downloaded here.
The project is currently underway with a final official government endorsed policy planned for release in late 2005.
The development of this national policy is closely linked to the Pacific Islands Energy Policy (PIEP) which represents a regional consensus on strategic policy approaches within the energy sector. The Policy was affirmed at the 2004 Regional Energy Meeting in Madang, Papua New Guinea.
The policy orientated operations of the Department in the power sector include:
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Reforming the power sector
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Working with Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
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General information – FEA tariff schedules
These areas are closely linked with other works areas of the department, especially the Rural Electrification Unit and the Fiji National Energy Statistics as well as other policy areas.
To help achieve the objectives of the department in the power sector Terms of Reference were drafted in 2004 for a consultant to undertake an initial review of Fiji Electricity Authorities regulatory functions. This project has been undertaken with the assistance of SOPACs PIEPSAP Unit. The project is currently underway with the results of the review to be released late in 2005, after extensive stakeholder consultation.
The objectives stated in the terms of reference were:
1. Provide inputs for a government decision on restructuring the regulatory functions in the electricity industry
2. Facilitate consultation between stakeholders on the issue of electricity sector regulation
3. Propose a regulatory framework that creates an enabling environment for private sector participation in the electricity industry.
The full terms of reference for this project can be downloaded here.
Working with Independent Power Producers (IPPs)
There are several IPPs already operating in Fiji. These are:
1. Fiji Sugar Corporation
2. Emperor Gold Mines
3. Tropic Woods Industries Ltd
The Department is working with these companies to collect fuel use and electricity generation data as part of the Fiji National Energy Statistics project. These organisations primarily generate electricity for their own consumption but also supply excess electricity to the relevant grid distribution systems operated by FEA.
The increased participation of IPPs in the electricity sector is encouraged and is seen as a means to achieving a more efficient level of service for the public. This is possible due to the introduction of creative energy alternatives, increased competition and diversification of the energy generation base.
General Information - FEA Tariff Schedules
A review of FEA’s tariff charges was undertaken in 2004. Click on the links below to download the old and new FEA tariff schedules:
Through funding assistance from the UNDP’s Global Environment Facility (GEF) , a unit called the “Office for the Promotion of Renewable Energy Technologies (OPRET)” was established within the Department between the years 2001-2003. The OPRET was tasked primarily to establish a framework that would facilitate the adoption of renewable energy technologies in Fiji. The integral component inherent in this particular project included:
1. The removal of barriers in terms of implementing renewable based electrification systems in Fiji and
2. Establishing the environment that would allow participation of the private sector - RESCOs.
The main identified barriers could be categorised in terms of institutional, economic, financial and informational.
The other important component of the project involved the development of a regulatory framework for the establishment of RESCOs. As part of this work in-country capacity building was undertaken to provide more reliable and sustainable renewable-energy services to the rural sector. Aside from the framework, a regulation charter was developed to provide the instrument for the establishment of RESCOs (which was one of the main outcomes of this project). The charter was approved by Cabinet in 2003 and is currently being drafted into a Bill to be tabled in Parliament.
The RESCOs model currently in being applied is one that has been specifically tailored for operation in Fiji. Under the concept the equipment is owned by government, it is installed and maintained by a private company selected through competitive tendering. Each user pre-pays a monthly fee that covers the maintenance and component replacement as well as the initial capital cost. A preliminary assessment undertaken through a socio-economic survey indicated that majority of the rural citizen that presently use kerosene or benzene lamps and dry cell batteries are willing and able to pay the full operating and maintenance cost of the Solar Home Systems. This would mean that once the systems have been installed, no further subsidy would be required and the project would be self sustaining indefinitely. As of mid 2005 a total of about 500 systems have been installed. By mid 2006 it is expected that the number would double.
The background analysis and feasibility studies completed for this project are available through contacting the Department on energy@fdoe.gov.fj or by calling (679) 3386 006.
Pacific Islands Renewable Energy Program (PIREP)
PIREP aims at the preparation of a regional approach to removing barriers to the development and commercialisation of renewable energy systems in the Pacific Island Countries (PICs) that influences country efforts to reduce the long-term growth of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from fossil fuel uses, especially diesel. The purpose of the project is the acceleration of the adoption and commercialisation of feasible and applicable renewable energy technologies.
The PIREP project has been undertaken by a consortium that includes GEF, UNDP, SPREP, the Energy Working Group of the Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific and for Fiji the Department of Energy.
The first phase of the program saw the completion in 2004 of a significant study of the past experience, current situation and future possibilities for renewable energy and energy efficiency in the countries participating, including Fiji. The report produced for Fiji includes a significant amount of data and history of the energy sector. Click on the link below to download the Fiji PIREP report.
Further information can be found on the climate change page of the SPREP website.
Additional Information
Additional information on the operation of the power sector in Fiji can be obtained through contacting the Department (on Ph: (679) 3386 006, Fax: (679) 3386 301, Email: energy@fdoe.gov.fj) or FEA directly.
